Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is in need of strong on-field competition to strengthen his Heisman case, but it might be hard for him to find. / Mark Zerof, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

On one side, you have a two-time national champion fresh off the finest statistical performance of his sterling college career. On the other, you have the reigning Heisman Trophy winner with another for-the-ages epic, one complete with ankle-breaking runs, big-time heaves and sideline-to-sideline elusiveness - more of the same, basically, and what we've come to expect.

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron won the battle Saturday, leading the No. 1 Crimson Tide to a 49-42 win against Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M, but when it comes to the Heisman Trophy, Manziel might win the war. Outside of one mistake - the interception in the end zone - and one tipped pass, Manziel's big-game performance will stick in SEC and FBS history.

With three weeks of the 2013 season in the books, here are 10 leading contenders for the Heisman:

1. Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel (Last week's ranking: No. 3)

Season stats: 63 of 89 for 984 yards; 11 touchdowns, three interceptions; 27 carries for 153 yards, one touchdown

Manziel put on a clinic even in defeat, reminding his detractors - suddenly quiet, for at least one week - just how unstoppable the sophomore can be in Texas A&M's system. It was a loss, yes; Manziel still came out looking like a champion.

2. Alabama QB AJ McCarron (Last week's ranking: No. 6)

Season stats: 30 of 52 for 444 yards; five touchdowns, one interception

McCarron saved the strongest single-game showing of his career for Manziel and the Aggies, throwing for 334 yards and four scores to help lift the Crimson Tide past A&M's devastatingly effectively offense.

3. Clemson QB Tajh Boyd (Last week's ranking: No. 1)

Season stats: 32 of 53 for 439 yards; three touchdowns, zero interceptions

Until Saturday, Boyd had the best single victory of any quarterback in the Heisman race. Although McCarron and Manziel stole his thunder, Boyd has several opportunities to restate his case.

4. Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater (Last week's ranking: No. 2)

Season stats: 62 of 88 for 1,002 yards; 10 touchdowns, one interception

Bridgewater continues to deliver, even if spottily against rival Kentucky. His biggest issue remains the Cardinals' soft schedule, one devoid of chances for prime-time excellence.

5. Alabama RB T.J. Yeldon (Last week's ranking: Unranked)

Season stats: 42 carries for 224 yards, two touchdowns

Yeldon proved too much for the Aggies' front seven to handle, showcasing the sort of wide-ranging skills that make him one of the best young backs in recent college football history.